Yorkshire & Worcestershire to meet in last eight

ESPNcricinfo staff

July 8, 2012

Friends Life t20 quarter-finals draw

Nottinghamshire v Hampshire

Somerset v Essex

Sussex v Gloucestershire

Yorkshire v Worcestershire

Yorkshire or Worcestershire will make a first appearance at T20 finals day after the two teams were drawn against each other in the last eight of the Friends Life t20. Worcestershire, who qualified from the Midlands/Wales/West Group despite losing to Somerset, will travel to Headingley on either July 24 or 25, after Yorkshire secured top spot in the North Group. Neither side has previously reached the last four in nine seasons of domestic T20.

The final round of group games saw several issues still to be decided, particularly in the Midlands/Wales/West Group, where four teams remained in contention for a quarter-final spot. In the end, Warwickshire's defeat at home to Glamorgan cost them dear, as Gloucestershire grabbed second place with victory in a rain-ruined game at Wantage Road and Worcestershire's net run-rate secured them third.

Essex secured the other wildcard spot, as one of the two best third-placed sides, and a quarter-final at Somerset, despite not seeing a ball bowled in their game against Hampshire. Rain overnight at West End had left the pitch in a soggy, sorry state and the match was eventually abandoned at around 5pm. The point gained by Essex meant Durham had to beat Lancashire in the North Group and secure a turnaround in their net run-rate to progress - but they lost two wickets in the final over, needing six to win, as the match was tied.

The West End washout denied Hampshire the chance of securing a home draw as the second-placed side with the best record - that reward went to Nottinghamshire, who crushed the deposed champions, Leicestershire, to amass 14 point in the North Group. Sussex suffered their first defeat of the tournament, at home to Surrey, but had already won the South Group and will therefore take on Gloucestershire at Hove.